More secrets from the national archives

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While British troops fought the Argentinians, England’s footballers were
gearing up for battle in Spain. The World Cup was weeks away and there was a
chance that England would meet Argentina in the final. Notes flew between No
10 and sports officials in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland about
whether to withdraw. The British Ambassador in Madrid said that “any
withdrawal would be taken badly in Spain”. In the event England and Northern
Ireland were knocked out in the second round — and Scotland, as predicted,
didn’t make it that far.